Thrashers-Rangers in review … and then there was one

Do you know the last time all three metropolitan New York teams missed the playoffs in the same year? How about never?

Do you remember 1988? That was the year the Rangers shut out Quebec at the Garden (John Vanbiesbrouck doing the honors) on the final night of the season, and in a game that started an hour later, John MacLean scored in overtime in Chicago to put the Devils (coached by Jim Schoenfeld) into the playoffs for the first time and eliminate the Rangers, who were still in their lockerroom watching the finish.

How much do you think the Devils would love to spoil it for the Rangers again? Especially after the Rangers defeated the Devils in the 1992, 1994, 1997 and 2008 playoffs. Do you know that Jacques Lemaire has never beaten the Rangers in the playoffs (neither did Tommy McVie or Brent Sutter, but Lou Lamoriello did in 2006, the year Jaromir Jagr whiffed on his attempt to punch Scott Gomez and hurt his shoulder).

Anyway, this is the Devils’ season on Saturday. It is also the Rangers’ season. And it could be like ’88 in this way, too: The Rangers’ season could be over for six or seven hours before they know their fate.

Thoughts:

1) The possibilities remain almost endless because of Bettman Bonus Points for losses. The most obvious possibilities surround Carolina, which still needs to get two more points than the Rangers over the next two nights. If the Canes lose tonight, the Rangers regain control of their destiny. And the Rangers can still get in with a loss Saturday if Carolina gets only one point out of its two games.

2) Buffalo is still in play. The Baby Buffaloes play Philly tonight and if they lose that game they could face a must-win in Columbus Saturday. The Rangers could catch Buffalo with a win and two Buffalo losses. And it’s also mathematically possible that both the Rangers and Carolina make the playoffs and Buffalo misses if the Babies lose both.

3) I know it was a little thing. Early in the game, Brandon Dubinsky, high in the offensive zone, made a cute little drop pass between his skates that backfired. I say it was a little thing because it didn’t cost the Rangers anything. But I maintain that when a team makes plays like that — where a much better, much more within-the-Rangers-identity play would have been to get the puck on net or get it in deep — it sets a precedent. Especially so when one of the team’s leaders does it. It says, this might be an easy game. Or we don’t need to do what got us this far. Or we can play this some other way. Or we can glide through the neutral zone in either direction. Whatever it says, I think it was a bad play that gave me a feeling bad things were coming.

4) And they were. Soon Marian Gaborik was missing nets. Wojtek Wolski was missing nets. Erik Christensen was making passes when he could have shot. Artem Anisimov tried a toe-drag move on a power play rush, 1-on-2, when he should have peeled off and set up the PP. Hell, even Brandon Prust, Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko were making “hope” passes around the net instead of hammering bad-angle shots at the kid goalie. And if anybody ought to know that bad-angle shots sometimes go in, and often if they don’t they at least create rebounds and scrambles around the goalmouth, it’s those three guys.

5) I’m slowly working my way down to the worst stuff. And the worst stuff is when your top two defensemen and your top two wingers (Gaborik and Dubinsky), in the infamous words of one George M. Steinbrenner, spit the bit. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi spit it big time. Wheeler went right around Staal with 20 seconds left in the first period and Henrik Lundqvist bailed him out. Later Girardi tossed the puck up the middle to Dustin (byfuglien) Byfuyglien, who ripped a shot that Lundqvist gloved. And on the clinching goal in the third period … which wasn’t entirely their fault … Staal got trapped pinching and Girardi failed to break up the 2-on-1 pass.

6) And it shouldn’t have been a 2-on-1 because Gaborik was in position to make it a 2-on-2 and didn’t. You could see this coming from the moment Atlanta got the puck past Staal. Gaborik, leaving the offensive zone, glided. Then he sped up. Then he slowed down. Then he sped up again and he couldn’t catch Eric Boulton — that’s right, the goon. Gaborik could have spotted him another 10-yard head start and caught him if he busted it. But he didn’t bust it. Girardi, who earlier broke up a 3-on-2 with his trademark slide, didn’t stop the pass this time. And Gaborik — who stunk in Game 82 last year — found his pants stapled to the bench for the rest of Game 81.

7) The first goal was worse. Sean Avery had a chance to clear and didn’t. That got the Rangers running around. Christensen had a chance to do something positive with the puck and didn’t. And soon it was in the net.

8) A 1-0 deficit wouldn’t have been so bad. But 15 seconds later, it was 2-0 when Blake Wheeler sent Andrew Ladd around Girardi, and inside of Staal, to beat Lundqvist on a break-in.

9) And how about Vinny Prospal taking the offensive-zone boarding penalty to negate a power play?

10) Starting to get the picture? This could have been worse than 3-0 and probably should have been more like the Islanders game. That’s how bad it was. John Tortorella was right. They “laid an egg.”

11) Matt Gilroy played a lot on defense late in the game. I think some of that might have been an attempt to get some offense. I think Steve Eminger was benched, or perhaps dinged up. And I’m wondering if somebody’s coming up today, maybe Kris Newbury, to take Ryan Callahan’s spot. Or maybe the captain checks in. Maybe Gilroy goes back on defense. I don’t know. If the top players don’t play a lot better, moves like these won’t matter a bit.

12) I just want to say byfuglien. And also Byfuglien=Monster.

13) My favorite parts of the Steven McDonald award ceremony: A) When they say that Adam Graves won it five times — that’s why his number is in the rafters, and there will never be another one like him; B) When Ryan Callahan came out on his crutches (I thought the place would be louder); C) When they announced the winner was Prust (well deserved); and D) seeing officer McDonald’s son, now a policeman … I remember him as a baby the first time officer McDonald presented the award.

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AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, above.

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For details about the Boneheads’ Picnic weekend, scroll down to yesterday afternoon’s post.

Ugh. I was at a friend’s bday party, and only got to watch a portion of the game. The portion where ATL scored 2 in 15 seconds. The NYR has some guts, and as I have posted many times, are on their way to being a very good team. They just don’t have the talent…yet.

Still in shock over last night. What is it with the Rangers? Whenever they play a team that isn’t ‘very good’ they end up losing the game. What is up with that? It’s been going on for years with these guys. You can change the names on the back of the jerseys and it happens year after year.

I’ve been saying it since the all star break this team isn’t making the playoffs. I’ve also posted several times as long as Dolan is the owner and Sather is the GM, the knicks and rangers will never sniff a championship. Last nights game the rangers look like a team who lost there real captain (Callahan). Losing the heart and soul to your team is a big blow and it also screws up the line combinations and it showed last night.

is Gaborik not talking to the media? Time to turn the heat up on him. And the coach should have left him out there for 2 shifts, instead of resting his rear. Keenan did it to Kovalev, for different reasons. There is more to this story, but no one is reporting it. The guy refuses to work hard enough. And the coach says zilch. They not seeing eye to eye?…inquiring minds want to know………….

It has nothing to do with not knowing how to play the game. I don’t think they all hit the ice and fell down. It’s a mental thing. They need to learn how to play with urgency when the team across the ice does not scream ‘challenge’ at them. They need to learn to pump themselves up when the crowd is dead. Learn…learn…learn. for christ sakes this is a YOUNG team.

Granted the ‘older’ players are not doing anything to help and for that I have an issue with. But Gabby was never know as a leader. Prospal raised the team the other night. Giradi is not one the put the team on his back. Staal could but looks like his is gassed and lets not forget he aint that old and experienced.

Who else can put this team on their back and bring them up a level? Nobody. It has to be a different person every night. and if nobody shows up one night, then nobody shows up. And that is the issue. WE want the kids to learn that but have nobody to teach them.

Kill Torts all you want but in the end its the players on the ice. He can scream and not get results, he can coddle and not get results. End of the day the players need to perform.

About Gaborik, that is another bad contract by sather. When I read the rangers were going to sign Gaborik I was not happy. The whole league and fans knew this guy was a one dimensional player who is injury prone.

I listened to the game on the radio. Maloney was pretty shocked that Torts sat Gabby. He felt that you simply cannot sit one of your most offensive players when you need goals. Granted Gabby isn’t having a banner year but…..

I disagree, Miami. Call me whatever you want. It’s not about this year.
And call me delusional, but I believe having Drury last night would’ve made a difference. Let me try to explain. The moment Dubinsky made that cute pass I posted that Torts would chew his MZA off. It wasn’t a reckless play, it was a youthful exuberance, sense of invincibility after their last win. In essence, it was a huge lack of experience playing in big games. That’s what killed them last night. A collective lack of experience playing in huge games. Right after they failed to score during their attempted “blitzkrieg”, Atlanta started to mount a few attacks and our defense showed how nervous they were. Almost all of them. They were thinking for one second too long, they were gripping their sticks too tight. They couldn’t clear the zone, let alone spring the attack. It was obvious how nervous they were. And all of a sudden, the whole team was off their game. Prospal tried, so did Fedotenko. But the problem was the defense. Look, McCabe is the only one with some experience playing in big games. Some. But he was a late acquisition and I don’t know how much a leader he is for them. And don’t tell me Gaborik should be their leader. How many big games did he play in? That’s why I believe that Drury would help last night.
We will have to go through those pains, folks. And if they don’t make it to the big dance, the only reason I will be upset is because it will deny them more experience playing in big games.

Dubi still hasn’t grown up and remains a frustrating player to watch despite his early season success…not mature enough for a 25 year old veteran in the NHL…he should have had at least 30 goals this year with the start he had…

Gabby clearly isn’t the answer as a go to #1 scorer on a good team…he doesn’t understand shared responsibility and he doesn’t hog the puck like he needs to be successful…he doesn’t make players around him better…

The organization has to address this issue if these guys are your top wingers…Luckily, we have young raw talent that is ready to be developed…

Best part about this game is I watch it! Classic young team playing down to its comp. May have already been said, but a Capt leads by example, not babbling in the locker room. This game almost cements Cally is the C next year (which I hope doesn’t start Monday).

Bad omen – Master’s weekend started and golf was on their minds.

Dubi is a vexing player. Way too up and down with an inability to stay on the his skates. Like the possession game, but needs another 20 lbs of muscle to play that game or an arse transplant from Jagr.

That was a game for newberries to play in. The Gilly line-up choice was strange at best. Not the reason they lost, but may speak to what they think of the farm.

Hagelin is not the answer for Offense, watched some of Mich game last night and he did not stand out – that being said, almost everyone playing was drafted by someone so talent level was high and hitting was ferocious.

Thanks for the memories Carp – I still believe, but will not watch this weekend – way too painful.

Ok Look…..I am not being Negative Nancy. I am being a Realistic Rebecca. This team…what can I say…they just simply don’t deserve to play in the post season. It hurts me to say it (or type it, whatever) but it’s true. My Fiance has been telling me this for quite some time and she is right. They need to be held accountable for not showing up to win the easy ones. I want this team to be good for years to come and I think they have to suffer now to be good later.

I went through a few posts last night and noticed how many rats came out of their holes just to bash their team during such a tough time. Have never seen them before, probably will never see them again. And I stopped reading too, so many negative posts, and, not surprisingly, a lot of calls for drastic changes. Gosh, I’m so glad none of us is making any important decisions, or runs the team. I understand the frustration, but can’t we see the bigger picture? And believe me, a few years ago, I would be on the same page with most of NNs.

I said it last night that the award ceremony and the parapalegic office handing out the “extra effort” award and saying something like “we win, you lose” was not a good strategy. If the Thrashers had nothing to play for when they showed up that gave them a reason to at least try. And they did barely try. But it was enough because our boys did, in fact, spit the bit.

Carp & fellow ‘heads: I pointed out as early as November that NYR was pissing away too many points at home, particularly against lesser teams. Unfortunately, as it turns out, I am oh, so right. NYR dropped 18 points at home to these non-playoff teams:
Toronto- 1 pt, Colorado- 2 pts, Atlanta- 4 pts (& won only 2 of 8 pts for season), St. Louis- 2 pts, Ottawa- 3 pts, Devils- 2 pts, Florida- 2 pts, Minnesota- 2 pts. Nothing else has to be said, & shootout points not withstanding, NYR has won 19 of their 40 home games. Earning only 2 points of the 8 from Atlanta is another telling statistic. I will be much more surprised if Carolina loses to Atlanta than I was from the Rangers’ loss.

I will hesitate from calling out individual players until the season is over and we can come in here and talk about what needs to be done to make this team a legitimate contender.

In Vancouver last night the President’s ceremony included a surprise appearance from Manny Malhotra who came out in a suit and sunglasses to accept the trophy. Now New York is not Vancouver, but the roof blew off that place when he stepped onto the ice in his shades. The Canucks then proceeded to lambaste the Wild in a “pour it on ‘em boys” type, individual points gathering win. Thus, as I said last night, I am moving to Vancouver.

New York is NOT a great sports town. I am sick of hearing it. The Garden was Empty and Quiet last night. Maybe they should let every blogger have credentials to get in an watch the game since no one gives a crap. My Fiance nailed it when she said that real fans have simply been priced out in this market. Manhattan is far too expensive, as are the surrounding Buroughs now, for people who actually care about sports to live here or spend time here. The showing by the fans is almost worse than the showing by the players.

You can say what you want about this team but one thing is seriously disturbing. To have that much on the line last night with Carolina breathing down our necks and to come out like they did with no passion whatsoever….something is very very wrong there. I just don’t get it. Maybe there is internal problems with that scrum they had during the practice with Avery and Sauer. Who knows? All I DO know is it is close to torture being a fan of this team.

i have no problem with torts sitting Gabriella. it’s not like he’s scoring big goals anyway. if he let him play, what kind of message is that to the rest of the team. “don’t worry guys, it’s ok to dog it on the backcheck and let a slow goon beat you to score a goal.”

i would even go as far as scratching gabby against the devils. is the team ‘weaker’ with or without gabby in the lineup? i say its a wash.

rangers play better in nasty, chippy games, right? it’s going to be a nasty game against the debbies. Gabriella doesn’t do well in nasty games. bring up someone from the whale…someone with an edge.

and, yes, i can’t believe i’m saying this, drury would help in game 82. (yikes)

Don’t think last night’s loss was about effort. The Rangers need more top-end talent and more experience. They have simply overachieved all season.

Some nights they can hang with and occasionally overwhelm better teams through sheer force of will, sacrifice and great goaltending. Beating semi-motivated marginal teams requires puck control, offensive execution, special teams and killer coolness. The Rangers aren’t capable of these things on a consistent basis yet.

That said, we love this developing team because its like a brave toddler. It’s probably not ready to climb the stairs solo, but it won’t hear “no”. Most of its vices are as endearing as its virtues.

Not expecting the playoffs, but wouldn’t be shocked either if Carolina and/or the Buffs drop one of their last two. They’re scrambling with the Rangers for the last couple spots because they have real weaknesses too.

Now, what are the chances that Atlanta, Philly, TB and Columbus have the integrity to beat one of our less-than-perfect rivals? Given their recent troubles, the Flyers should muster a serious effort to get their A game back before the playoffs; they don’t want to slide in on an ugly losing streak. Atlanta probably won’t be able to hold off the rested, excited Canes. But, Columbus will be loose and determined to end with an honest effort in front of their own fans against the Sabres. No pushover. And if Tampa gets goaltending they very well might get a point against an increasingly tight Canes team.

Oh yeah, and the Rangers will beat the Devils by two or three. Right back on the stairs!

MSG ain’t what it used to be. Nowadays, it’s a great place to take a nap, not watch a hockey game.

Only sections that are really still packed with die hards are the 400s. True, there are a lot of die hards throughout the 300s, and some are scattered in the 200s.

But, i’m noticing in the 400s that a lot of the season ticket holders (like myself) attend fewer and fewer games each year as ticket prices go up. I sell a good portion of my tix and i even brought in a ‘partner’ on my plan who takes one-third of the season. I fear what MSG will be like next year and dread what it will be like after they redo the upperbowl after next season.

Greg – you are really agreeing with my Fiance. But thanks. She was there in ’94 as a young teen. Her Uncle cried on the floor when they won the cup. He still cries when they retire numbers or have “Adam Graves Night.” You’re totally right Greg – only the 400’s are loud. Same in Yankee Stadium. New York is no longer a good sports town. Not at all. It’s a business. Just like everything else. Gentrification has ruined everything.

I really agree with her. Yankee stadium is a joke. They should blow up the Legends Seats. It isn’t a stadium – it’s a conference room with a field in the middle instead of a video phone. The Garden is maybe worse. Last night when Captain Crutch stepped onto the ice to golf applause? Really? Are we at the Masters? Fans have a right to boo. They have a right to get nasty on their team. But -to own that right you have to actually support your team when they need you. You can’t just get down on them always.

It is sad, but I think we all need to boycott if the Rangers miss the playoffs. Demand that Sather gets fired before going to another game. Until the druggie Dolan starts losing money on the Rangers and Knicks, he will not upgrade the teams! Why would he? Both teams have the worst management in their respective leagues. While were at it, get rid of Cablevision too! They are by far the worst company supplying cable to the region. Dolan needs to go!

AMEN. FIRE DOLAN. I actually mean that. I have a good friend that refuses to root for the Rangers or Knicks anymore until Dolan is gone. He actually looks more like a Hobbit than the Hobbit Wizard. He has to go. It’s horrible.

The roof should have been blown off MSG when he crutched out onto the ice. Cally is the guy who basically won the bruins game with the pass to dubinsky. he’s the guy who has busted his ass all year, broken 2 bones blocking shots and is really the captain of the team.

I feel that Torts has shown us he can build a team that may be able to be competitive for a few years-but there’s still some major pieces missing …I am willing to give Sather and him more time to add a few more pieces (or subtract a few existing ones) to continue this progression. Gaborik is NOT an A level player-and he has shown an indifference in too many games to his defensive responsibilities that in several glaring cases-wound up in the back of our net. Maybe if he could score against teams other than Toronto and the Isles we might have looked the other way. Big players step up in big games and carry their team-Gaborik is not one of those players! Prospal was dead wrong to call out the fans for booing–are we supposed to cheer inept and unfocused play? If that’s the case-Gaborik should have been given major minutes after his flub and not a benching-right? We pay good money at the gate-the scalper or through our high priced cable companies to root for our team and I’ll be damned not to let the team know how much I’m disappointed by their effort–just a we cheer them when we see the effort sometimes even without the results we like…and our backing for keeping this team intact at the trading deadline is proof we understand there’s a building process going on. If we miss the playoffs this year-I don’t see just making the playoffs next year as being acceptable. Maybe just getting in this year would have been, but next year I expect a team to compete for the conference with a shot at the cup…anything less…well them I’m ready to talk about Torts…

Trying to be realistic about tonight’s games. Expect both Canes and Buffs to win.

But… how much fun will it be if Philly gets its form back and lights up the Sabres in front of the Buff faithful!

Although they shouldn’t win, Atlanta is feeling as good about themselves today as a non-contending team can: they just claimed the biggest (only?) “playoff” win in their history by shutting out a desperate team in its own building. If they survive the Hurricane blitz in the first period, they’ll be plenty dangerous.

It’s not very nice, but let’s relish some other team’s troubles this evening. Low expectations and a chance for real fun.

I will not be celebrating if this team backs into the playoffs off some other teams losses. Not to sound like Sean Avery but i have no interest in people’s sloppy seconds. This team needs to be punished. I don’t want them being rewarded for this carcillo play.

Kern – Yea, I loved it. I get-off on watching my favorite squad play like Hartnell and get a goose egg for goals.

What I was saying, I thought plainly, was that this team hasnt changed but rather played a poor game at an inopportune time.

To everyone saying that they need more top line talent to beat Atlanta…. are you serious? Have you seen how they’ve played this year with the exception of their start? We need more top line talent to compete day in and out with Vancouver or Detroit… but not Atl.

Some say they overachieved all year and I would argue that…. but just as some teams have an embarrassment of riches with regard to skill, we have a wealth of heart and determination and I wont forget that with one poor performance.

I’m tired of fake fans CONSTANTLY complaining about the team and then being the first to get on the bandwagon when they have a win like the recent one at Boston.

I’m tired of bipolar primadonnas complaining about every player on the roster… constantly. I mean seriously, go be a Filthy fan boy!

The team AND management have done well this year. I agree, historically this hasnt been the case but now and in the moment, I like who we have and what we do. I’ll also gladly make a bet with any of you other fans that the Rangers make the playoffs. Having reviewed some of your statements, I’m sure there are plenty of you willing to bet against “your” team.

Dudley – I will not bet against my team. I actually thought about it last night but only because I NEVER win anything and betting against them would ensure that they win. It would be the same as buying a win for my boys.

As much as I do like this team, games like the one against Atlanta show you that in order to win in this league you DO have to have a few guys who can put the puck in the net (not over it, Gaborik. Not wide of it, Stepan. Not on the post. IN THE NET). The Rangers have no ‘dangerous’ players. There’s no one you fear when they have the puck. Gaborik used to be feared but the guy is a joke. I don’t care how hard he’s working. We have hard workers like Prust to go into the corners and dig for pucks. Gaborik gets paid to score goals. Still, he’s only one guy and I get that. But that’s all they have. One guy. We have tons of gritty guys on this team that are all easy to like. If Sather doesn’t get us some offense in the offseason next year will be a carbon copy of this season- a team that you really like but that will NEVER go anywhere. You gotta score. It’s part of the game. You can’t just ignore it.

HaHa. I knew Punish would get me in some trouble. I guess I just don’t want this team being rewarded for this play. It was said before by Broadway Blue that we lost 18 points at home to non-contending teams this year. I love this team. So it hurts more.

Basically – if my child lost a spelling bee because he spelled “Couch” wrong and another kid won – but then the winner was Disqualified because he was on Steroids – I would not want my child crowned winner. I would want him/her to EARN it.

I may be on the outside looking in, but IMO your coach is NUTS… who would want to play for that guy? He’s a one trick pony… screaming, tantrums, passive-aggressive behavior with the press… don’t you think he pulls that crap in the locker room at a deeper level? Did it ever occur to you guys that the players quit on HIM? Coaching is a delicate dance… you have a three year old child at the helm.

Do not agree with sentiment that the ‘effort’ was not there every time they lose. If Artie can bury a shot in front with no one on him it is a different game. But that is what the Rangers are: a team with a lot of youth that will not play at a consistent level so enjoy the roller coaster – I just hope the youth develops at a fast pace.

Gabby = Ghost of Christmas past – symbolic of High priced Ranges signings that have inconsistent play, but more disturbingly seems to glide for prolonged stretches. Watching the Boston game, you must have been thinking – who put the 5 hour energy drink in his water bottle. Sorry that effort has to be there EVERY game – especially when you are pulling in the big bucks.

Cally = Ghost of Christmas Present – heart and skill – willing to do anything – however we either need to rethink body armor or stop playing goalie near the blue line – missed 25% of the season due to shot blocking.

Step/McD/Sauer – Ghosts of Christmas Future – play the right way, grind corners, emerging skills, stick up for team mates – huge upsides.

As said countless times – this team is 4 or 5 players away including two top line forwards and a top 4 Dman. They have enough talent and heart to make POs and also missing enough pieces to not make it.

Mine is that you earn the number of points next to your name and if that number proves sufficient to earn you a ticket to the dance, you go and dance your Boogard off.

I actually lost a spelling bee as a child for bragging. It was the only one that I won and they gave it to the second place contender. I doubt she was bitching but I was none to pleased. Thanks for the bad memories Manny ;-)

Tony – I agree. The consistency of this team goes up exponentially with some offensive weapons to compliment the heart and hussle. That being said, great TEAMS pull together and have the potential to make great things happen.

Buffalo Gal – He’s up for the Jack Adams and did a lot with what everyone on this board deems very little.

I wont resort to name calling but your statement (about what you describe as “our” team) makes me think your second favorite team is the Flyers. Gonna be a tough game for you tonight but I’m guessing the Flyers win by 4, just saying.

I have zero concern of this team “quitting” on their coach.

Speaking of coaches, DID ANYONE ELSE LOVE THE UGLIEST HOCKEY TIE OF 2011 LAST NIGHT? WHOA, I MEAN, THAT WAS BORDERLINE OFFENSIVE. TRY AGAIN ATLANTA!

Manny – On my honor. Literally lost it. I am an atrocious speller and bragged to my buddy that I won. Teacher taught me a tough lesson when she pulled my gold star off the wall and awarded it to #2. What I really learned was how to foster a burning hate for little Suzy Perkins (just kidding on the last part, for the life of me, I cant remember who reaped the benefits of my misplaced arrogance).

Rangers have gotten very little help from the hockey gods (ie. other teams) over the last two weeks. Aren’t we due for a crushing regulation win by Filthy tonight in Buffalo? Or a pride point from the more confident Thrashers?

I know this guy who’s a huge Rangers fan. He still talks about how his Dad (now deceased) and his Uncle cried the night the Rangers won the Cup — they were THAT happy. Anyhow, circumstances beyond his control forced him to move to AZ (Tony, are you listening?). He still follows the team — every game. Well he entered the Blue Shirts Off Our Backs contest and WON! NYR are flying him, his wife and son to NY. Paying for hotel, game tickets and jerseys! He is BEYOND HAPPY. I’m not sure he’ll need a plane to fly him here (if you know what I mean).

Hartnell. Hey all, Tiki was supposed to come to NY today for the game and picnics, but he got into a car accident last night and is in the hospital now. I’m waiting on details from his brother, but that’s all I know right now. Please send him your bonehead wishes and I’ll update you when I hear more.

after all this team has been thru not making the playoffs hurts if they were a 500 or so team all year that is another story but they had a very good chance but the islanders game, last night, atl about 5 weeks ago, 1 point against ottawo, etc.

they are moving in the right direction but not fast enough and they still do not have enough offensive talent..

boyle can make predictions when he becomes a front line player not a 4th liner who tries but should stop trying to make plays and shoot the puck.

put a APB out on gabby our star. Nah I do not want to hurt his feelings…

5th in the league in defense and no playoffs, newsflash they cannot score…………………………………………………………….

The Rangers are one strange team when you contemplate how they play against the haves vs the not-so-haves. For example, 6-2 record against the Flyers and Caps and 1-5 record against the Aves and Thrashers (or something close) and their success against the Bruins, not to mention beating San Jose in San Jose. And so on.

WTF?

Clearly, this team gets it when the opposition is strong (on paper, stronger than the Ranges). Equally clear is the fact that they have trouble getting motivated for the lesser-lights. So how can this be so? Nothing is perfect so regardless of who’s behind the bench and how good the players are, some clunkers will be had, but this many against inferior opposition? Part of the coach’s job is getting his team ready ALL the team, regardless of the record so Tortorella has to take some of the blame. So do the players, especially the perceived leaders, like Staal, Gaborik and Dubinsky. I also believe the team’s lack of high end skill comes into play here. I get the relative ease at being motivated when playing a superior team and I also get the difficulty in being motivated when the opposition is weak (I’m not excusing the team for the latter, just understanding the differences between playing strong vs weak teams).

My point is that if the Rangers actually had a first line (the way Gabbie’s played for all but 3 games this year, I’m now saying they don’t have a single first line player right now), their 1 and 5 record against the likes of the Thrashers and the Aves wouldn’t exist. Front line players score, regardless of the opposition, and score regularly. Those 1 goal losses against the likes of the Panthers wouldn’t be occurring nearly to the same extent if the Rangers had a legitimate first line – it’s not unreasonable to get 1 to 3 (or more) goals from a team’s top line in a game – not every game, but probably every 2nd game or at least every 3rd game. Ponder all those lost games against the weaker teams and imagine a first line potting 3 goals in at least every 3rd of them and suddenly the Rangers have 10 more points than they do now. 10 more points would give the Rangers 101 which would put them within striking distance of the Flyers and 4th overall in the east. Therein, I maintain, lays the Rangers biggest problem overall.

Yes Sather has done a reasonable job over the past few years when it comes to drafting and developing and keeping with the ‘let’s build through youth’ iniitiative, but the team continues to suffer from his inability to procure top end talent and that issue remains very difficult, if not impossible at the Rangers current pace, to resolve. *SIGH*

That McDonald ceremony was odd and uncomfortable “YOU LOSE!”???? WTF? Can you say bad OMEN? and the reception for Cally should have been better but the Rangers started out strong anyway, Then they let up, then got scared and played on eggshells. (Did anyone notice even a few thrashers banged their stick for Callahan?).

I would have voted for Prust too, but a few weeks ago I began to think that I was wrong. And watching the bench’s reaction to the award it was obvious to me who should have won…the man with two sets of stitches holding his nose together…Blockefeller himself, Dan Girardi.

Prust is tied for league lead in shorties, no? Good penalty killer. He is regarded highly -and rightfully so, for his playing through pain, taking on guys that are bigger, not backing down, and holding other players accountable. but you know what? He often takes on guys at the wrong time, or guys that he shouldn’t, that he doesn’t really have to fight, and he gets himself hurt. He creates his own pain. So, in a sense, he is playing through his own stupidity half the time. Though, plenty of his battles are valid, and I love the guy. And the price (dumping Higgy and KoataCheck on Calgary?) Priceless.

Blockefeller gives it up for the TEAM -His pain is FOR THE team. Leads league in shots blocked, nose stitches, and ice packs. He plays through pain, doesn’t back down from cannons, and leads by example. Also a nice price (free). I think he should have won.

The reason I mention Prices…is all the Fire Sather chat. The time to FIRE Sather came and went, and Yes, I hope he steps down too. But he has been pretty good since Torts re-arrival -though I believe most of the good moves were suggested by Torts or Schoenuts. Blomez for McDonagh? Ok, fascination with goons withstanding… At least they have been able to eredden many of their mistakes. I’m glad we didn’t get Richards, it wasn’t worth it. Who knows what’s up with Gab0rik, gotta think he’ll bounce back. Torts knows what he’s doing, he just needs to keep bending Sathers ear.

And Dolan is not selling, so don’t hold your breath. Fight battles you can control. This team is usually fun to watch in spite of the corporatization of the garden, which happened many many moons ago. Money wins…so enjoy the games but don’t fool yourself, and accept that things are waaay beyond the fans control. If we don’t buy the tix, some corporation will.

I wont be there, it’s too expensive. I watch on delay/DVR and fast forward through commercials. Minimizes the pain…

The ownership of the Rangers is stupid….that is why they turned down the rights to the first Winter Classic. They are idiots. Anything fun for the fans is not important. They own TWO spots teams. That should be illegal. They have a monopoly on ruining teams!

Anyone who says signing Gaborik was a bad idea is an idiot. And where were you last year when he had 40+ goals? You weren’t saying it was a bad idea then!!! Gaborik had a bad year. Sure. We don’t need to get rid of Gaborik. We need another one!!!

With that said, at this point I see a really frusrated Gaborik. I don’t see him thriving on a team with a very young core and a blue collar, lunch pail style. If Gaborik’s fortunes were resting on a center of Eric Christenens ilk, he was doomed from the start. And I LOVE Stepan, but he should not be centering Gaborik either. Gaborik is a great piece that doesn’t fit into this puzzle. Is Brad Richards the answer? I dunno. Is a trade of Gaborik the answer? Perhaps.

But only a fool would say that Gaborik was a bad signing. He can’t do it alone, and he can’t do much surrounded by AHL talent.

Dudley, yes, the Rangers are flying him here for tomorrow’s game. His son is not even a year old yet so they won’t let him take him out on the ice for the post game ceremony, but Mom and son will be watching from the bench.

Enjoy the Sabres’ torment tonight when they lose their home finale to Filthy and have to sweat the decision of who to start in goal in Columbus for all the marbles: a beaten Enroth or a hurtin’, rusty Miller. Delicious.

When Carolina goes into this game against Atlanta, they will have Eric Staal=Monster & the figure skating rookie shooting at the net in that beginning flurry. They will score in the first 5-10 minutes whereas, we could not. We do not have that sort of offense where we have a player or two that can score, be an offensive threat. We all loved this team’s grit, willingness to block shots, passion play, physical play but after 81 games and all the injuries and pain, we don’t have that elite offensive gem to bail us out in tight games. I’ll be, like all you boneheads, watching them beat the Devils Saturday but I kinda’ lost some of my confidence in this squad becasue they can’t score the big goal consistently!!!

gaborik is just not that good. look at his stats for this year and over his career. he is a soft best case scenario 40 goal scorer. but he has 23 goals this year and almost none in tight games. that is the truth. balem it on talent around him.

iginla got 35 on that team. nash is better and his team sucks year in and year out. gaborik is getting paid elite money but he is just a nice player, with bad d, terrible on shootouts, and he is a total woosie…………

the truth hurts about marian….if he would be who they thought they were getting the rangers would have 8 more points but they got a shell of that……..

But, am I the only one here who thinks the Flyers will get their Carcillo together and beat the Sabres convincingly tonight?!

The Pumpkins have, no doubt, gotten a lashing from the coaches about getting their game together before a playoffs that they’re supposed to be a BIG factor in. So, I think we see more than an “honest” effort from Filthy tonight (if that word can ever be used to describe them).

In their own high-expectations, slumping at the wrong time kinda way, they’ve got plenty to play for. Should win convincingly in regulation and do the Sabres some real psychological damage.

I really don’t have time to get into the game (You guys are probably happy about that). I have to be back at work in half an hour….

Our record is really bad I think on the mcdonald night

OPG=OPG

I thought it was pretty funny that mario maloney called out torts on the post game show

I’ve said it before, gabby really is the square peg trying to fit in the round hole on this team. As long as torts is the coach, our superstar “goal scorer” needs to be more in the iggy mold than the gabby one (or perry or someone that is a bit more consistent in his play and d zone)

No offence to anyone of our boneheads that goes to the MSG games, but the crowd absolutely SUCKS on a very consistent basis. Like it or not, the MSG crowd needs to take serious lessons from the Montreal.

Let’s face it this team has been running on fumes for about a month now. Gaborik and Stahl are shot. The young guys like Prust, Boyle, McDonough and Sauer are run down and spent. We have no leader and we have few scorers.

It was still a good building season if they keep following this plan. Need to add a couple of scorers and a bonecrushing D-Man. Need to vastly improve the PP. But like Carp often said this team wasn’t go anywhere this year and after the Callahan injury they weren’t getting out of the first round.

Need to purge Avery, EC, Emminger, Wolski and add some more speed. I think the future is bright if they don’t panic, but it is painful to not even make the playoffs. Because this team played like a playoff team for most of the year. Could not beat Atlanta and Buffalo and the Islander loss was also heretic.

It’s time for Torts to GOOOOO! He has lost the team. He may be talking and coaching but they are zoning him out. How else can you explain being so bad for the last 6 games(not counting the come back against Boston)The players just aren’t listening to him,they are not playing like they can and that is because 1.Tort’s burned out his best players and 2 the team is tired of his massive ego and his being mister bad ass but only with them.So they just drown him out when he talks.It’s not that they don’t want to win but they just don’t want to listen to or deal with this ego maniac any more.Now if this were any of the other 29 teams he would be gone but this is the Dolan Mr potao heads Rangers so he probably won’t get fired for not completing what he was brought there to do and that was make the play offs.Hopefully it’s bye bye big mouth!!!!!!

this should sum it up pretty well…its game 82 tomorrow afternoon and the coach is still trying to figure out line combination……

UPDATE:RANGERS RECALL ZUCC!!!!!…..

no one keeps it simple – in the pre and post game they preach keeping it simple but you have puck handlers trying to skate through the neutral zone-the dman do not shoot the puck enough from the point…

CHANGE UP THE POWER PLAY ALREADY…..THEY PRACTICE EVERYDAY IT AINT WORKING, PUT BOYLE IN FRONT OF THE GOALIE, GIVE PRUST AND FEDENTENKO A LOOK ON THE PP, TRY SOMETHING and we thought the PP was bad back in the Tom Poti Days,

Wow zuck is back he’s going to save us… BULLSHIT he was sent down because he was playing scared and bad so how does that relate to him saving the Rangers ? I know UNFOURTUNATELY It DOESN’T. Another player that needs to be sent away from the Rangers far far away.Some where a smurf and his magic might actually work because he has no magic iin the real world of the NHL!!!!!!

Alright – Back off Torts. He is a proven coach. He is trying his hardest with the few weapons he has. Look at the guys that have improved (drastically) under his tutelage. I have to say, I love the Torts – Sullivan combo. We need Biron back. He was another Coaching genius.

YES, Zucca is back. who gets scratched? Especially if Drury is coming back for the Devils game (not that i’m a big dury fan, but if the captain wants to play, Torts will let him).

I would vote for Gabriella. Rangers are no worse off without him in the lineup. He doesn’t score and he can’t grind like the rest of his teammates. He’s a liability on defense and rarely busts it on the backcheck.

Hey all, just heard from Tiki’s brother. I am so hartnelling distraught right now. Tiki has a brain injury from his car accident last night and is in critical condition. Please send out your best bonehead prayers and wishes for his recovery.

don’t know who mentioned girardi as the player who should have won the mcdonald award, but i guess you don’t see many games, as he’s pretty much the cause of losing many of them. one of the stupidest players i’ve ever seen. yeah, he gets his body in front of pucks but has no clue how to play against skaters coming down against him. brutal. he has to go. it was fun while it lasted. we have some kids who actually know how to play D in Hartford. hope they find a taker for him and hope beyond hope #10 goes with him. he’s been as much an offensive liability as he is defensively. and we all thought under lemaire the genius all those years would have taught him something about back checking. if he doesn’t disclose he has a rare disease at the end of the year, hard to believe he lost whatever skill he had so quickly without some major reason behind it.

i still love most of this team. still not sure torts is the right guy for them. and as far as jack adams consideration? doesn’t deserve it. no way.

zucc back up for saturday. who sits? if he benched #10, i wouldn’t take back his not deserving of the jack adams award, but i will give him the ballsiest coach award hands down. do it. your team has them. show you do too.

NYR_FAN April 8th, 2011 at 11:46 am
I can’t stand reading newb comments bashing Torts….where were you people all season? :P

YUP!

Manny – THAT I agree with. Biron was so $$ on the shootout coaching front, I loved that the cameras knew to follow him pre-skills start. Sullivan is usually spot on and while I had issue with Torts as recently as last year, believe he IS the man for the job this year.

Vince – I’m guessing you play dungeons and dragons, which isnt a bad thing per-say, but explains your not so passive anger towards a professional athlete and seemingly good guy. Why all the hate on a great story for the Rangers? Plenty of players have gone on to be great that got sent down their ROOKIE YEAR IN THE NHL.

Thank you Stuart. Sullivan and Torts are good coaches. Very good. Torts is a top-notch coach. You will all see. He has nothing to work with. Sauer went from playin 9 minutes last year to being a borderline 1st line D-Man. If Staal didn’t have to cover for Girardi all the time then Sauer would be a first-liner. Boyle!? Come on! Look at what that kid did. He went from being an oversize guy who looked like he was skating on carpet to a legit 3rd liner…and still improving. There is a long term plan here guys. Torts is part of it.

Dudley, and a few others- sorry we left you alone to defend against all the negativity. Busy at work. But I agree with everything you said. And, again, we should be glad none of us is in charge of this team.

We have a bright future Ranger Fans. We have a great core. A few additions to the scoring line and we could really become a contender. A real one. Until then – Let’s just hope these guys are learning what they need to learn (which I believe they are because of the coach).

Also, Mr. Extra Effort looks hurt. The Prust has something going on in his legs. I am scared for what could be revealed after the season. He is a real trooper playing on whatever is bothering him.

Since carolina will most likely get the full 2 points tonight, i think it would be extremely helpful if two things happened tonight:

1) Tampa bay beats florida
2) Uniondale beats the pens

This would give pittsburgh only a 1 point lead (102-101) with one game to play, with the pens last game being this sunday. This would give tampa bay motivation to play hard tomorrow in raleigh in order to keep the possibility open of home ice in the 4/5 matchup.

It completely sucks that we’ve been in the playoffs all year and now we have to wait and hope carolina and buffalo miraculously start losing games. Why is it that we cant seemingly come up with these big plays when we need them? We lack big players. Dubinsky is really showing his colors in that regard. I dont know how much more we could have needed somebody to put the puck away in the first more than Dubi or Gabby. Fail, again. Leave it up to fate or hope or whatever but this is bullsh*t. The Rangers deserve a better fate, but maybe they dont.

As i said the other day. It sucks that there most likely will only be one more Ranger game for the next 6 months. This is my team and this is who i want to win, nobody else. It sucks so much worse to be in such ‘good control’ all season then go into a straight up tailspin at the last few weeks.

A shame. The sky fell a while ago, we just got lucky Callahan wasnt injured to pass it to dubi for 3-3 in boston.

LoneRanger – AGHHHHH, well if the Hockey Rodent said it, it must be true.

Funny, Hockey Rodents “Playoff Probability Tracker” had us at 75-90% all year but doesnt look like THAT was correct either.

Torts doesnt skate. He doesnt handle the puck. He cant but the biscuit in the basket….

After the Boston rebound, everyone was praising his ingenuity with the lines, now he’s being damned for not already having the lines set in stone.

I’m done harping on it and I suppose every franchise has its share of Carcillo-esque fans.

I’m one fan, but I’m loyal and despite only having half a clue, remain confident that I should appreciate what I do have in light of some of you proving youd be fortunate to have even that. PS – bybytorts…. try, byebyetorts eh? Jackwagon….

I am sure Torts wants the blame to fall on him. He is a good coach that protects his players as best he can. So if the blame can be lumped on him I am sure he is fine with it – he isn’t going anywhere because he’s a great hockey coach.

Noah – flying probably refers to all the vicodin that Pizza Pants is on. I heard he had a nasty incident while cleaning the lower oven last night. Probably a pretty serious burn he has to medicate for.

“our defense showed how nervous they were. Almost all of them. They were thinking for one second too long, they were gripping their sticks too tight”

That’s the classic example of a team choking. No matter what you want to call it – they choked. They were playing a team that is out of the playoffs, but couldn’t handle the pressure. There are no excuses all they had to do was get one point and they couldn’t even come close to that.

Marji – good point. This season has been utterly wonderful from the moment they dropped the puck. My highlight of the season was finding this forum. Really. It probably saved my relationship because I yap all day in here and my Fiance doesn’t have to hear it!

Seriously though. This season was great. I believe this team *can* go deep in the playoffs because they usually play better against better teams. It is what it is. Last night was a stinker of a game. While I believe these guys need their heads smacked for not playing hard as heck last night I really think they over achieved this year due to improvements by a bunch of key guys. Unfortunately, making the playoffs won’t change my opinion of what this team needs to be a perennial contender. But boy oh boy do I love rooting for this team and this group of guys.

I moved to florida 4 years ago after sharing season tickets for 7 or 8 seasons and this was my first game back at the garden since. I wish I could blame myself as the jinx buy I don’t think anyone would agree. This game had nothing to do with me….hell it obviously had nothing to do with the rangers! I loathe hockey in florida. Granted buying half season tickets and getting the second half free can’t be beat. I can’t curse cuz management seems to think that by using the place as a nursery they’re grooming fans for the future. I miss cursing. I miss not having to walk around flame jugglers to get in the arena. (yes u read that right) But I DON’T MISS NOT MAKING THE PLAYOFFS AND NOT HAVING A DECENT DRAFT PICK TO SHOW FOR IT. I remember that john maclean goal that eliminated the rangers and literally crying afterwards. If I’m correct it was against chicago with panger in net. Don’t quote me on that. Sidenote (i had to correct the swype on my droid. It kept replacing “sidenote” with “Stoudemire”, I sh$t u not): I made a windfall at the 60% off everything sale at the team store. Got me a Zuccs jersey for like a nickel. No comment on his minor status while gilroy fills in for cally. I decided to take a breather after the two quick goals and bypass the lines. Wish I could make the last game when it’ll probably be 95% off.

Of course I want them in – I want to watch Playoff Hockey with the Rangers part of it. But, they did exactly what they needed to do this season as far as sticking with youth and getting a good young base to assure a very competitive, if not dominant team for the next few years. Our youth will only get better. Add a scoring center and stay the course. There are great days ahead my fellow Ranger fans!! ….. And I still think they are getting in :)

I mean what can Torts do? Yell at them? Hit them? Inject them with B-12 shots like they are Mr. Steinbrenner? He isn’t on the ice. He and Sully give these guys the tools but it’s up to the players to execute. That is why Torts says he never goes into the Locker Room after a game – regardless of win/loss. It’s up to the players.

instead of defending him in a vacuum, give examples of positive things he has done/is doing

ill go first, 5 things he does that I think SUCK:

1. changing lines throughout an entire season, on a regular basis, even within games.

2. not figuring out a way to change the absolutely embarrassingly abyssmal power play, where i was watching them cycle on the power play the other night! cycling on the per play!! I also enjoyed him experimenting with Zuccarrello at the point on the power play last week, followed by his demotion. great idea!

3. playing favorites with some, and doghousing other players throughout the entire season, including benching Gaborik for the third period last night in a game they are losing 3-0, while playing Avery in the 3rd period for basically the first time.

4. overplaying his best players, lundqvist, staal

5. clear lack of preparedness (mental?) for certain games, including game 81

I am going to walk up to the NHL store and BUY (not by or bye or bi) something with our teams logo on it and feel good about it. And look at it and remember why I love this team. Maybe I will get a TORTS 4 LIFE jersey!

CCCP – Torts can be blamed for some things. Not all of his ideas work out. You have a right to say whatever you want and because you are here daily and you teach me a lot I will always listen to you. Just the FIRE TORTS crowd is a little “severe.”

NYR_FAN, you’re welcome. ;) I’m bummed, too, when they lose but there hasn’t been a game this season when I felt we didn’t have a chance to win or to come back and win it, at least tie it and go to OT/SO. How rare has that been!

1) his changing of lines sparked our Boston win. Furthermore, he has stuck with several lines/player combinations consistently throughout the entire season when those players are healthy (Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan, Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust, Prospal-Gaborik). Also, defensive pairs have been pretty constant ever since Rozsi was moved.

2) You got me. PP has been terrible.

3) I haven’t really seen him play favorites or doghouse anyone that didn’t deserve it.

4) I don’t think Staal or Lundqvist have been overplayed, at all. Lundqvist has an extended run here because of the injury to Biron. Staal hasn’t shown me anything that shows me he is tired. He is without question our best defenseman. Who wouldn’t want their best defenseman on the ice as much as possible?

5) They came out really strong in the first 5 minutes, but after not scoring, they got nervous and tentative and it cost them. They were prepared, but the players weren’t mentally tough. As to why they weren’t, I can’t say.

Manny, yes, there is a team store you can get to without tickets, but it’s very limited in what it offers, which is mostly jerseys. It’s right after the bag inspection, but before the gate where you would buy tickets.

None of those players about should not be on the team next season. Some of them are dead weight simply because the contract does not match the player expectations (see Drury, Redden, and Frolov). And thats how management has continually failed.

Why does this team always have one solid line, a second OK line, and two lines that consist of career fourth liners??

Regardless if we make it or not, we have zero chance of being last years Flyers who make it to the stanley cup. The flyers have way more “talent” than the rangers.

“flat team after two days off and in a MUST win situation? i don’t know…kind of hard not to blame the coach.”

CCCP, while the coach is definitely partly responsible, ultimately, the on-ice effort falls mostly on the players. A coach shouldn’t have to fire up his team for game 81 with the playoffs in the balance. They should be fired up on their own.

I’d say 75% players, 25% coach for that.

The PP, I’d say is 75% coach, 25% players. There is just no plan, no system, no architecture to it at all. It’s like watching a pickup game.

1) how about giving him credit for developing the kids this year-see Stepan, Sauer, Mcdonagh, Boyle, yes MDZ had a set back but the kid still could be a MONSTER and will help the PP IMMENSELY IMO

2) how about giving him some of the credit for the comebacks the Rangers had this year…yes they struggled in coming back in the 2nd half of the year this year besides the boston game but in the first half of the year they lead the league in obtaining points after trailing after two periods, i think they still might lead the league in this category

3) how about staying competitive without a true captain….lets face it the drury signing is just as worse as the Redden signing

4)he sure in hell challenged Hank down the stretch and boy did Hank answer

5)10-4-1 down the stretch i know everyone is upset with the Islander and Atlanta loss but you simply cannot win every game….if we lose to the flyers and beat the isles we are in the same boat….the games the will hunt us just as much is losing to the senators twice @ home this year, losing to the panthers, losing to Atlanta early in OCT @ home, losing to colorado, losing to minnesota, etc etc

6) i am not saying he had control at the deadline of whether or not to pull the trigger on Sather but I gotta believe he had more influence then Renney did when he was here as he has been preaching to Sather to stay patient and go with the kids….can you imagine we gave up anisimov, gilroy and a kid in Hartford and missed the playoffs with Richards????

torts is not goign anywhere, fire sather, fire the dolans, fire the fake fans-ugh its embarrassing im lucky to be able to afford tickets but the fans are a joke-the biggest cheer last night was when they announced some knick in the stands (sorry no clue who he is not a bball fan)

wow, you guys and gals change with the wind. This IS a team that is rebuilding, but showed success. We all said play the kids…they did. It is a solid team. They had a clunker.

If anyone thinks Drury would make a difference may I ask them to put the crack pipe down. You are suffering from recency bias. And not so recent I might add! Let me make this clear: DRURY SUCKS now…he skates like his derriere was filled with Cemex’ main product: Cement or for those of you who understand spanish, cemento. I never want to see Drury play for the Rangers again. He doesn’t deserve it. Having Drury would not have made staal or girardi less error prone.

NOW LET’S BEAT THOSE HORSE-CARCILLO DEVILS AND MAKE THESE PLAYOFFS!!

I LOVE THIS TEAM WIN OR LOSE. Sorry, even if they don’t make the playoffs I am going to love them. Especially the Dubi.

Overplaying his best players? WHAT SHOULD HE DO THEN? I’ll venture you’re the type that complains about our government yet has no better suggestion to fix it? Be a valuable addition to this forum and provide constructive criticism that we can digest and prognosticate on rather than childish rants that provide little more than a forum for you to see yourself type.

Why is Torts a good coach? OK, Ill start…

1) He helped keep this team focused on youth and convinced management to FINALLY shy away from overpaid bandaids.

2) Were Prust, Sauer, McD, etc household names last year? Prust was playing, just not the way he does now.

3) The players do like playing for him. Ask Stepan. His recent quotes said a lot as has HIS rookie performance.

4) He’s not a cry-baby B. Personally, I love his attitude around this loss and believe, as someone mentioned earlier, he is “pleased” to have the blame on his head. He’d rather shield HIS squad. I like that. It also tells me, he isnt concerned about his job which is how the best NEED to operate, regardless of business.

if this team misses the playoffs i will remember the three game home stand @ the end of february/early march, THREE CONSECUTIVE HOME GAMES, 1-0 LOSS TO TB, 3-2 LOSS TO BUFFALO, 3-1 LOSS TO THE WILD…..throw everything else out the window, you get one point atleast and ur probably in the tournament dancing come next week!

I’m not going to let last night’s admittedly abysmal no-show ruin my Never or Infrequent Poster Showing Up To Quit on the Team and/or Make Themselves Look Idiotic By Deciding It’s All The Coach’s Fault Day.

You have to give Torts a lot of credit. He could have encouraged Sather to do what Rangers mgmt always does…. go out and overpay for some player that is on the way down, not up. Instead, he put his own job on the line by saying, “play the kids. let’s build from within and create a great team that will be a contender for years to come.” I am not going to argue with that even if they end up on the outside when all the points are tallied.

Atl over Car…actually put us back in control
Philly over Buff…would give us two bites at the apple Saturday if we win (Car or Buff lose we’re in)
TB over Fla combined with Icelanders over Pitt…gives TB something to play for against Car Sat)

I have to side with the pro-Torts crew. He has pushed this team as far as it could go. It’s clear they need more talent, and while I do lay that at the feet of Glen Stogie, I can’t argue about the plan to build with youth and develop your system.

Also, Dubi should know better than those silly drop passes, but he’s also trying to do too much. He was hustling and playing all night trying to score, and took some dumb chances doing so. But he showed the likes of Stepan and others what it’s like to compete. Same with Prust. Showing him huffing and puffing at game’s end on the ice while everyone else went off to the dressing room– you knew he has left it all out there.

So, how do we roll on Saturday? Devs will trap the bejesus out of us, and I expect Torts will defy conventions and change things up— 5 forwards on the ice for a power play type stuff. I know we will gut one out and win, but not sure if the rest will fall into place.

We need to get rid of some of the posters here. We just don’t have a good mix and chemistry. No real heart in the posts. Need to clean house and start over. Lot of overpaid vets here with little to no quality opinions to offer. But what will happen, probably Carp gets fired and everyone stays. Can’t blame the posters, blame the moderator.

To prove that this team rules I just ordered a new Rangers hat. My old one was on my head during last years debacle with Philly – we all remember that too well. This – my old hat will be burned. Filled with alcohol – set on fire – and thrown out my window. A ritual for me in exorcising the demons. This new hat will be the lucky hat that sees many cups.

Tony – If people are only fans when the Rangers win there can’t be many fans. I mean some people are acting like this team has a dozen Stanley Cups in their cupboard!

if the Blues are dumb enough to do it, I trade gab-Bore-ik to St Louis for center David Backes, a big strong young power forward centerman who is ideal for what the Rangers need. great at both ends of the ice, and scores and does all the other key things like hit, pk, etc and he is tough as nails

Am I crazy to ask this but…Who in their right minds would want Gaborik? IF it was possible to trade him – why? He is the type of player that a team must be built around – honing his line to highlight his skill(s). He is unfortunately stuck on a team that is building itself around concepts like “effort”, “drive” and the like – not around him. He will stick around and probably contribute – but I don’t think any team will take him – IF he was tradable.